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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Legal breakthrough for Google's self-driving car | Legal breakthrough for Google's self-driving car |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Google's self-driving car system could soon be given the same legal definition as a human driver, paving the way for vehicles without steering wheels or pedals. | Google's self-driving car system could soon be given the same legal definition as a human driver, paving the way for vehicles without steering wheels or pedals. |
| The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) - which sets rules and regulations on America's roads - shared its thoughts in a letter to Google made public this week. | The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) - which sets rules and regulations on America's roads - shared its thoughts in a letter to Google made public this week. |
| Until now, any car without a human driver would not be considered roadworthy. | Until now, any car without a human driver would not be considered roadworthy. |
| However, in light of technological advancements, the NHTSA has changed its perspective. | However, in light of technological advancements, the NHTSA has changed its perspective. |
| "If no human occupant of the vehicle can actually drive the vehicle, it is more reasonable to identify the driver as whatever (as opposed to whoever) is doing the driving," it said. | "If no human occupant of the vehicle can actually drive the vehicle, it is more reasonable to identify the driver as whatever (as opposed to whoever) is doing the driving," it said. |
| "In this instance, an item of motor vehicle equipment, the Self-Driving System, is actually driving the vehicle." | "In this instance, an item of motor vehicle equipment, the Self-Driving System, is actually driving the vehicle." |
| Google boost | Google boost |
| It means Google's self-driving pod, which has no typical in-car controls, is one crucial step closer to being allowed on public roads. | It means Google's self-driving pod, which has no typical in-car controls, is one crucial step closer to being allowed on public roads. |
| With the NHTSA's blessing, the car now fits the key criteria required to pass the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards test. | With the NHTSA's blessing, the car now fits the key criteria required to pass the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards test. |
| It's the latest regulatory boost for Google after the US government announced in January a $4bn plan to create nationwide regulations for self-driving cars. | It's the latest regulatory boost for Google after the US government announced in January a $4bn plan to create nationwide regulations for self-driving cars. |
| Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx said the initiative would provide consistency between states. | Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx said the initiative would provide consistency between states. |
| "We are taking great care to embrace innovations that can boost safety and improve efficiency on our roadways," he added. | |
| "Our interpretation that the self-driving computer system of a car could, in fact, be a driver is significant. | |
| "But the burden remains on self-driving car manufacturers to prove that their vehicles meet rigorous federal safety standards." | |
| It followed an announcement by the Californian Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that said cars absolutely did need a driver - a ruling Google described as "perplexing". | It followed an announcement by the Californian Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that said cars absolutely did need a driver - a ruling Google described as "perplexing". |
| Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC and on Facebook | Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC and on Facebook |